Wastefront has officially broken ground on its Sunderland tire pyrolysis plant, a project poised to transform the UK’s tire recycling industry. By converting end-of-life tires (ELTs) into valuable recovered carbon black (rCB), pyrolysis oil, and steel, this initiative strengthens circular economy efforts while reducing waste and emissions. As demand for sustainable rubber and fuel alternatives increases, Wastefront’s investment in advanced pyrolysis technology positions Sunderland as a key hub for green tire recycling. This market report examines the project’s significance, investment potential, and impact on sustainable waste processing in the UK.

Wastefront is the UK’s First Tyre-to-Fuel Facility to Fast-Track Global Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production and is now under construction

Developing any commercial scale pyrolysis operation is a long term proposition, and Wastefront has now reached the stage if breaking ground for its now plant in the UK.

The £100 million Sunderland plant is the UK’s first large-scale waste tyres processing facility dedicated to the SAF value chain, positioning IAG-backed Wastefront as a key player in working towards the UK’s ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions.

Wastefront has announced that it has officially commenced construction on its groundbreaking £100 million tyre-to-fuel facility at the Port of Sunderland. The project marks a significant step in the UK’s push for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production while delivering a major economic boost to the North East and creating more than 100 local jobs. International Airlines Group (IAG) was the first European airline group to aim for 10% SAF usage by 2030, and in January this year, the company announced an investment in Wastefront.

The facility’s first commercial phase will start at the end of 2026, with the second phase launching a year later. Once fully operational, the plant will process 10 million end-of-life tyres annually—making it the largest facility of its kind in Europe—converting them into tyre-derived oil for refining into SAF and other sustainable fuels. With around 55 million tyres reaching the end of their life per year in the UK, Wastefront’s fully circular process will address a pressing waste issue.

The Sunderland facility, the UK’s first fully circular tyre-to-fuel plant, utilizes pyrolysis technology to convert end-of-life tyres into tyre-derived oil, which will be refined into SAF. Wastefront’s system is self-sustaining, recycling the gases generated during pyrolysis to power its operations. By 2030, Wastefront aims to operate four large-scale plants, collectively producing 128,000 tonnes of oil annually – enough to yield approximately 90,000 tonnes of SAF1.

Reducing aviation carbon emissions is critical for the industry. The UK’s SAF mandate—introduced on 1 January 2025—requires at least 10 percent of all jet fuel used in UK flights to come from sustainable feedstocks by 2030, rising to 22 percent by 2040. However, domestic SAF production remains significantly short of the target of 1.2 million tonnes needed by 2030.

The project strengthens the North East’s position in the UK’s growing net-zero economy. According to the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), the UK’s net-zero sector grew by 9 percent in 2023, compared to just 0.1 percent for the broader economy. Wastefront’s investment highlights the region’s leadership in sustainable innovation, positioning Sunderland at the forefront of the transition to more sustainable fuels.

Follow this link to the above article » GO. 

Why Klean Industries is the Leading Provider of Advanced Pyrolysis Solutions

As Wastefront advances its Sunderland plant, the global demand for efficient, sustainable tire recycling solutions continues to grow. Klean Industries is a pioneer in high-performance pyrolysis technology, offering scalable solutions for recovered carbon black (rCB), pyrolysis oil, and sustainable industrial materials.

Learn more about the United Kingdom’s waste tire crisis and the challenges of tyre recycling in the UK » GO

Why Klean Industries?

✅ Proven Pyrolysis Technology – Maximizing rCB recovery, pyrolysis oil quality, and steel reclamation.
✅ Regulatory-Compliant & Low-Emission Systems – Meeting UK and global environmental standards.
✅ Turnkey Solutions for Investors & Manufacturers – Delivering profitable, high-yield waste-to-energy solutions.
✅ Global Industry Leadership – Trusted by leading tire recyclers, investors, and sustainability-driven industries.

Want to Develop a Profitable Tire Pyrolysis Plant?

Contact Klean Industries to explore high-performance, regulation-ready waste-to-energy solutions » GO.